Random Review: 13 Sins (2014)

13 Sins (also known as 13: Game of Death) is directed by Daniel Stamm. The film is a remake of the 2006 Thai horror comedy film 13 Beloved. Mark Webber stars as Elliot, a meek salesman who accepts a series of increasingly disturbing and criminal challenges. It premiered at the 2014 SXSW film festival and was released theatrically in the United States on April 18, 2014. (WIKI)

There was a salesman that swallowed a fly, for a lot of money, he swallowed that fly. I guess he'll die? Well, maybe not, no spoiler here, this is actually how our protagonists adventure begins, with an ominous phone call that offers to pay him to kill a fly that is bugging him and then eat it. Which he does, to find the money properly deposited into his bank account. As predicted, the tasks get harder, and more dangerous, with each phone call, to total 13 by the end, at which time he will be a very rich man. If he decided to back out, he'd lose everything. The perfect situation for a meek salesman that just lost their job. A story similar to what will eventually become Nerve with a touch of Would You Rather. Each task requires battling social norms and breaking cardinal laws. They mess with sensibilities but also serve as a release from boundaries as Elliot gets closer and closer to being Michael Douglass in Falling Down, a total change in personality and increased confidence is a bi-product of his experience. 13 Sins is gory with moments of violence and sometimes funny in a Weekend at Bernie's way.

Mark Webber is the perfect victim to this game of morals, he naturally expresses himself as a week individual and therefore his growth is drastic and violent, like the tasks he is being forced/volunteered to participate in. His story is twisted and human, and the whole dead guy scene was brilliant. Ron Pearlman is great (as always) as the detective tracking down the many crimes that are committed. 13 Sins is well cast, acted, and a twist of insanity that will make you wonder what you would do, with more than one twist and revelation.